Amor Zina (17) Wants to Help Those Less Fortunate: "I Saw How Bad My Friend Had It Last Year"

Amór Zina
4 hours ago
4 min read

A TERRIBLE SIGHT: After seeing his friend struggle intensely last Christmas, it was important for Amór to make a difference. Photo: Henriette Rodal

By Henriette Øy Rodal Published: 16.12.21 on Norwegian local newspaper

This Christmas can be extra difficult for many. Amór wants to help whoever he can.

Oslo, Norway: This winter brings tight finances for many more than usual. With record-high electricity prices, there are several people who cannot afford to pay for anything more than just their power bills.

Every year, there are parents who dread Christmas because they cannot afford to buy Christmas gifts for their children. This year, an exceptional number of people have to feel this sorrow.

"I like helping others"

Amór Bén Bécchir Zina lives with his family at Vinterbro. He is currently in the middle of his high school exams and has more than enough to keep track of.

In addition to school and work, he has taken the time to spend both time and money to make a difference for others.

He posted several messages in local Facebook groups, such as "Hva skjer på Vinterbro" and "Drøbaksvenner."

"Now that Christmas is approaching, I have realized that there are several people who are not looking forward to it as much due to various worries. Therefore, I would like to help one or more if I can," he writes in his Facebook post.

He further explains that he is a "student" and things are a bit tight, but he wishes to help with what he can. The posts have received a lot of attention, and several people now want to join the wave and help others.

BIG ATTENTION: Amór's post has received a lot of attention on social media Photo: Henriette Rodal

"It was terrible to watch"

In 2020, Amór witnessed a close friend struggling extra hard through the winter, and especially during Christmas. At that time, Amór did not have a job on the side of school and therefore had nothing he could help with.

"It was not fun to see my friend not being able to afford Christmas gifts, food, and other things. I didn't have much I could contribute back then. But I decided that I would get a job so that I could help someone this year," Amór explains.

"It seems that many young people don't bother to care"

Amór's mother says that he has always been concerned with helping others. She is not surprised by the choice he made.

"When we travel to my home country, Tunisia, we meet many poor people. He always gives money to help. He also collects clothes for them," says Amór's mother.

Amór has always been focused on helping others, but it is only this year that he decided to help more than just family and friends.

EXAMS: Amór sits in the middle of the exam period while collecting gifts and food for others Photo: Henriette Rodal

More people need help

After he posted the message, he received several messages. Some of them made a strong impression.

"They send many different things. Some just send short messages about what they need. But there was one woman who sent me a long message where she told me about how she recently became a single mother and could not afford gifts for her children. It was incredibly sad to read," says Amór.

In the post, he writes that he can help with whatever might be needed. So far, he has only received messages from people who need Christmas gifts or food for the holidays. He wants to help as many as he can.

"If it had only been one person who sent a message, I would have given a lot to that person. The more people there are, the more I have to distribute the gifts. But I intend to help everyone who needs it," says Amór.

The friend who made an impression on Amór last year has not had a better Christmas this year. It was important for Amór to ensure that this friend got the help she needed this year. In addition to his friend, several others are seeking Amór's help.

GIFTS: Amór is good at giving gifts to those who can't afford them this year. He gets a lot of help from others who are willing to contribute. Photo: Henriette Rodal

Together we are many

In addition to receiving messages from people who cannot afford gifts and food for Christmas, he has also received messages from people who want to help.

Several people will now contribute with baking, cooking, and shopping for gifts. This effort makes it possible to help even more.

"I don't earn that much myself since im a full time student, and cant work top much at the moment, so I can't afford to help many on my own. My family has been a great help to me, and in addition, several people have volunteered to assist. I have spoken with someone who will bake for me, and some will give some gifts. I could not have helped as many if it weren't for the help from others," says Amór.

When he published the post, he had not expected that so many would want to join in and help. Even though Amór does not have large sums of money to contribute himself, he now has the opportunity to help several families who have been dreading Christmas.

I am sharing a story from my past that defines the values of Amor Zina Edition. This article from Østlandets Blad documents where my commitment to helping others began.

Best regards, Amor Zina